Digital Commons Network^™

Delineating Hurricane Vulnerable Populations In Orleans Parish, Louisiana, Stephanie Pedro

LSU Master's Theses

Since settlement first began, equality issues between different social classes have been evident in the location of where residents settled in New Orleans. This research seeks to answer the question: What socioeconomic indicators are prevalent in the areas most-at-risk to flooding which could inhabit populations least able to evacuate? I will use Census 2000 block group data from the socioeconomic sample data (SF3) collected in 2000, along with other economic and GIS data from the New Orleans region to statistically represent the distribution of risk by selecting indicators predicted to be in flood zones from a classification tree analysis. Then, …

Two-Dimensional Penalized Signal Regression For Hand Written Digit Recognition, Qing Tang

LSU Master's Theses

Many attempts have been made to achieve successful recognition of handwritten digits. We report our results of using statistical method on handwritten digit recognition. A digitized handwritten numeral can be represented by an image with grayscales. The image includes features that are mapped into two-dimensional space with row and column coordinates. Based on this structure, two-dimensional penalized signal logistic regression (PSR) is applied to the recognition of handwritten digits. The data set is taken from the USPS zip code database that contains 7219 training images and 2007 test images. All the images have been deslanted and normalized into 16 x …

Resource Recovery Of Coal Bed Methane Formation Water, Catherine Elizabeth Bishop

LSU Master's Theses

During the excavation of natural gas, petroleum hydrocarbon-polluted brine water, termed production water, is drawn from the coal bed methane formations (CBMF) along with the natural gas product. The water is drawn out in vast amounts and re-injected into the CBMF. In the Greater Rocky Mountain Region (GRMR) where water supplies are dwindling, the remediation of CBMF production water has become a high priority for maintaining agriculture, residential development and industrial expansion. The overall objective of this research was to demonstrate in laboratory and field pilot studies the efficacious merging of Immobilized Microbe BioReactor (IMBR) technologies for biodegradation/mineralization of organics …

Comparative Study Of Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Brushless Dc Motor Operating With The Winding Connected In Single-Phase And Two-Phase System, Sunil Kumar Challa

LSU Master's Theses

The object of the study is a double-sided axial flux permanent magnet brushless dc (AFPM BLDC) motor with salient pole stator. Its winding can be connected either in single-phase or in two-phase system, which results in different operation of the motor.

The objective of the thesis is to analyze and compare the performances of the AFPM BLDC motor with single-phase winding and two-phase winding. To study the motor operation, a mathematical dynamic model has been proposed for each of the motor with different winding, which became the basis for simulations that were performed using MATLAB/SIMULINK software package.

The calculations were …

Spatial Distribution Of Heavy Metals In Louisiana Sediments And Study Of Factors Impacting The Concentrations, Suniti Bhattarai

LSU Master's Theses

To identify the sites with elevated metal concentrations and factors impacting the concentrations, we studied 128 observations on heavy metals collected from the four inch deep sediments in Louisiana lakes and rivers. Use of Fe as a normalizing factor to interpret the site of metal enrichment was justified based on its high correlation with other heavy metals. The regression coefficients of metal/Fe came out to be significant for all the metals in both level and log versions. For the metals, where prediction exceeded upper 95% confidence interval, we mapped the site with factors such as number of industries located within …

Integration Of Conceptual Mathematical Relationships Into Constant Time Delay Instruction, Bethany Ann Porter

LSU Master's Theses

There is constant debate over mathematics education in the United States. One central controversy is whether or not the current methods used to teach students mathematics are effective. Some scholars believe that students are not getting enough practice and that they are not getting a good conceptual understanding of mathematics. It has been shown that mathematics equations are rich in patterns and inter-relationships and when children understand these relationships they have higher mathematic skill levels than their peers who do not. This study examined the effectiveness of using an empirically supported, fast paced mastery oriented teaching procedure that promotes automaticity …

Food Purchasing Behaviors, Dietary Energy Density, Perceived Health Status, And Perceived Nutrition Knowledge Of Female Food Stamp Recipients Living In Southeast Louisiana, Carrie Marie Elks

LSU Master's Theses

Purchase and consumption of energy-dense nutrient poor [EDNP] foods by low-income individuals contributes to the lower diet quality and increased risk of chronic disease (e.g. obesity, type 2 diabetes) in this population. Food purchasing behaviors, dietary energy density [ED], perceived health status, and perceived nutrition knowledge were assessed in 22 female food stamp recipients in Southeast Louisiana. Two 24-hour recalls (at the beginning and at the end of the month) and food expenditure receipts were collected; participants also completed several questionnaires. Fifty percent [%] (n=11) of study participants were food secure, and fifty percent (n=11) were food insecure. Sixty-four % …

Security In Heterogeneous Wireless Networks, Vijay Bulusu

LSU Master's Theses

The proliferation of a range of wireless devices, from the cheap low power resource starved sensor nodes to the ubiquitous cell phones and PDA's has resulted in their use in many applications. Due to their inherent broadcast nature Security and Privacy in wireless networks is harder than the wired networks. Along with the traditional security requirements like confidentiality, integrity and non-repudiation new requirements like privacy and anonymity are important in wireless networks. These factors combined with the fact that nodes in a wireless network may have different resource availabilities and trust levels makes security in wireless networks extremely challenging. The …

Comparison Of Data Mining And Statistical Techniques For Classification Model, Rochana Lahiri

LSU Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to observe the performance of three statistical and data mining classification models viz., logistic regression, decision tree and neural network models for different sample sizes and sampling methods on three sets of data. It is a 3 by 2 by 3 by 8 study where each statistical or data mining method has been employed to build a model for each of 8 different sample sizes and two different sampling methods. The effect of sample size on the overall performance of each model against two sets of test data are observed and compared. It is …

Ice Sheet Grounding Zone Deposits On Ross Sea Continental Shelf (Antarctica): Seismic Facies Analysis And P-Wave Reflectivity Attributes, Adeniyi Adewumi Saanumi

LSU Master's Theses

Subglacial till and overlying glaciomarine deposits are difficult to distinguish because the physical properties of subglacial till may vary depending on the drainage conditions of the rock directly beneath the ice sheet. Based on approximately 120 kilometers of multi-channel seismic data, detailed seismic facies analysis and amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis are carried out to examine the distribution of ice sheet grounding zone deposits on the continental shelf of the Northern Basin, Ross Sea (Antarctica) and infer the physical properties of interpreted subglacial till. Seismic facies analysis led to the differentiation of distinct sub-environments around a grounded ice sheet: …

Impacts Of Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis Invicta Buren) On Native Faunal Communities In Two Pine-Dominated Forests, Lee A. Womack

LSU Master's Theses

Impacts red imported fire ants (RIFA) exert on native faunal communities were monitored in two pine-dominated ecosystems in Louisiana. After suppression of established RIFA populations with Amdro®, cotton mice (Peromyscus gossypinus), herpetofaunal, ground-dwelling invertebrate, Lycosidae, and non-target ant communities were compared between untreated-control and treated plots with respect to possible ecological impacts of RIFA on these communities. Efficacy of Amdro® (A. I. 0.7% hydramethylnon) was tested at Alexander State Forest and Sandy Hollow WMA, and was found to be effective at both sites for 99-42.3% and 97-48%, respectively, suppression of RIFA on treated plots, for three to seven months, with …

Green Hydrogen: Site Selection Analysis For Potential Biomass Hydrogen Production Facility In The Texas-Louisiana Coastal Region, Bryan Michael Landry

LSU Master's Theses

Hydrogen and the “Hydrogen Economy” are increasingly becoming buzzwords in discussions regarding future U.S. energy scenarios. Hydrogen energy offers a multitude of economic and environmental advantages over the current world energy structure. Despite this attention, there have been very few geographical studies of a possible transition to a hydrogen system. Even these studies have been limited in scope to demand-side analyses. This thesis attempts to rectify this situation by broadening the scope of geographical studies of hydrogen through the analysis of supply-side scenario. This study is a site selection model for a biomass hydrogen facility in the Gulf Coast of …

The Impact Of Hypoxia On Mercury Methylation In Bottom Sediment Of Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Mei Huey Tan

LSU Master's Theses

Widespread concern has developed about high mercury content in fish in the Gulf of Mexico and adjacent estuaries and bays. Among the areas implicated as possible sources of the mercury that moves up the food chain from the methylmercury formed in sediments and anoxic waters is the seasonal hypoxic zone in the northern Gulf. This research was designed to determine if methylmercury formation is stimulated by the anaerobic sediment conditions accompanying the onset of summer hypoxia in the Gulf. Both field and laboratory studies were carried out. For the field study sediment samples were collected at three stations (i.e. C4, …

Salt Marsh Restoration With Sediment-Slurry Amendments Following A Drought-Induced, Large-Scale Disturbance, Angela Marie Schrift

LSU Master's Theses

A large-scale, drought-induced disturbance occurred in Louisiana during the spring and summer of 2000. Approximately 100,000 acres of Spartina dominated marshes died-back and turned brown. This die-off caused considerable concern because in the absence of recovery dieback marshes can transform to mudflats, which can subside leading to open ponds. The state of Louisiana is attempting to restore some of the dieback marshes through the addition of sediment-slurries. The sediment-slurry generated significantly different marsh elevations: high elevation (mean and 95 % confidence interval: 29, 26 to 32 cm above ambient marsh), medium elevation (21, 19 to 24 cm), low elevation (14, …

Links Between Environmental Mercury, Special Education, And Autism In Louisiana, Jessica Rury

LSU Master's Theses

The number of children born every year with neurological disorders is increasing and some of this increase may be attributed to mercury exposure. Pregnant women ingest contaminated fish, which transfers high mercury concentrations to the unborn fetus. This exposure may result in methyl mercury buildup in the brain of the unborn fetus. Symptoms ranging from minor to severe may be observed as special educational needs in school systems. These include learning disorders, developmental delays, and autism. Louisianans are especially susceptible to mercury contamination because fish and shellfish are a major portion of their cultural diet. This study, through the use …

Evaluation Of Tcp Based Congestion Control Algorithms Over High-Speed Networks, Yaaser Ahmed Mohammed

LSU Master's Theses

The Additive Increase Multiplicative Decrease (AIMD) algorithm of the Transport Control Protocol (TCP) had worked remarkably well over low speed networks and had guaranteed fairness to the users all over these years, but at present, the demands for transferring large quantities of data over very high-speed networks are increasing at a tremendous rate. Because of its AIMD algorithm to control its window growth function accompanied by a slow response function which is inadequate over high-speed links, TCP has been proven to underutilize the available network bandwidth and leave a considerable amount of unused bandwidth. To overcome this limitation of TCP, …

Mesoscale Simulation Of Grain Boundary Diffusion Creep In The Presence Of Grain Growth, Lucian Zigoneanu

LSU Master's Theses

Grain-boundary (GB) diffusion creep (Coble creep) is the dominant deformation mechanism for the fine-grained materials under low stress and at elevated temperature. During creep deformation the grains become elongated in the tensile direction because of atoms diffusion along GBs from places in compression to those in tension. Consequently, the GB diffusion rate depends on the normal stress gradient along the boundaries. It is widely accepted that the GB migration generally plays two important roles during Coble creep: one leading to the decrease of the creep rate due to the increase of the grain size by GB migration mediated grain growth …

Performance Of A Three-Phase Permanent Magnet Motor Operating As A Synchronous Motor And A Brushless Dc Motor, Sophie Sekalala

LSU Master's Theses

The performance of a three-phase permanent magnet (PM) motor operating as a synchronous motor and brushless DC (BLDC) motor is discussed. The PM motor, when operating as a synchronous machine, is supplied with constant frequency, meaning constant rotor speed operation. When operating as a BLDC motor, the supply frequency changes according to the actual rotor speed. It means the speed signal is fed back to the controller, which generates the appropriate frequency to supply the stator winding. This means the BLDC motor cannot operate without a position sensor. The objective of the project was to analyze and compare the performance …

Mesoscale Predictions For The Dynamic Compaction Of Explosively-Coated Aluminum Micro-Particles, Michael Wayne Crochet

LSU Master's Theses

Conventional granular explosives are widely used in aerospace and defense-related industries. Powdered metals are often mixed with high explosives to enhance detonation. The effectiveness of these mixtures is limited by the slow burning of the metal relative to the explosive and their sensitivity to mechanical loading. Granular energetic composites, composed of an aluminum core coated with a layer of the high explosive RDX (C₃H₆N₆O₆), may be a high-performance alternative to conventional explosives because of a higher metal combustion rate and lower impact sensitivity. Though the technology required to manufacture granular energetic composites …

The Discursive Practices Of Chemical Discipline, Roger L. Pippin

LSU Master's Theses

This project examines the history of science and its relationship to the popular, or lay, audience, a problem of rhetorical inquiry since Aristotle. This project also explores the implications of the emerging trend in lay literature on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to transform the causal mechanism underlying ADHD so that it is isomorphic in structure and parallel in content to the most contemporary and fetishized sciences of the human body. In other words, how ADHD was once a problem of brain chemistry, and is now a problem of genetics is not simply a matter of scientific practice on the …

U.S. Demand For Certified Tropical Hardwood Products, Shadia Duery

LSU Master's Theses

Tropical forests, which contain 50 percent of the planet's biodiversity, are threatened by deforestation and illegal logging. Forest certification was initiated initially as a s certification: forest management practices and chain of custody (CoC). The United States is the largest market for secondary, or value-added, tropical hardwood products (STHP) which influences forest management practices in supplier countries. In 2004, this study was conducted to measure the demand for certified products in the U.S. The objectives of the study were to identify characteristics of U.S. demand for secondary (value-added) tropical hardwood products and to understand market perceptions regarding certification of secondary …

Use Of Atomic Force Microscopy To Study A Molecular Micelle As An Anionic Polymer For Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Deposition On Polymeric Substrates, Angela Nakeeta Douglas

LSU Master's Theses

Polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) have been used as stationary phases for various chiral and achiral separations in open-tubular electrochromatagraphy (OT-CEC). However, the physical characteristics of PEMs are not well understood. The production of PEM coatings involves flowing alternating rinses of positive and negative charged polyelectrolytes onto a surface. Although PEMs are typically deposited on fused silica capillaries, there is growing interest to use this approach in conjunction with microchip devices to enhance separation characteristics. Since microchips are fabricated using polymeric substrates, the deposition of PEMs on these substrates needs to be examined. The study reported in this thesis uses atomic force …

Optimal Binary Trees With Height Restrictions On Left And Right Branches, Song Ding

LSU Master's Theses

We begin with background definitions on binary trees. Then we review known algorithms for finding optimal binary search trees. Knuth's famous algorithm, presented in the second chapter, is the cornerstone for our work. It depends on two important results: the Quadrangle Lemma and the Monoticity Theorem. These enabled Knuth to achieve a time complexity of O(n²), while previous algorithms had been O(n³) (n = size of input). We present the known generalization of Knuth's algorithm to trees with a height restriction. Finally, we consider the previously unexamined case of trees with different restrictions on left and …

Winter Diet, Seed Preferences And Foraging Behavior Of Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus Henslowii) In Southeastern Louisiana, Jennifer K. Dimiceli

LSU Master's Theses

Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) is a grassland bird whose population is declining throughout its range, mainly due to habitat loss. The Longleaf Pine forest ecosystems in which Henslow's Sparrows spend their winters are reduced to 5% of their former range. The winter ecology of Henslow's Sparrow remains understudied, especially regarding important aspects of diet and foraging behavior. To determine winter diet, I collected fecal samples from Henslow's Sparrows during banding operations in southeastern Louisiana pine savannas from October 2003-March 2004 and October 2004-April 2005. I then analyzed the samples for presence of seeds and arthropod parts, identified them to the …

Em Algorithm For Multiple Wideband Source Localization, Kiran Kumar Mada

LSU Master's Theses

A computationally efficient algorithm using the expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm for multiple wideband source localization in the near field of a sensor array/area is addressed in this thesis. Our idea is to decompose the observed sensor data, which is a superimposition of multiple sources, into the individual components in the frequency domain and then estimate the corresponding location parameters associated with each component separately. Instead of the conventional alternating projection (AP) method, we propose to adopt the EM algorithm in this work; our new method involves two steps, namely Expectation (E-step) and Maximization (M-step). In the E-step, the individual incident source …

Effects Of Fire On Habitat Associations, Abundance, And Survival Of Wintering Henslow's Sparrows (Ammodramus Henslowii) In Southeastern Louisiana Longleaf Pine Savannas, Erik Ivan Johnson

LSU Master's Theses

The Henslow’s Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) is the fastest declining short-distance migrant and fastest declining grassland bird in North America. Declines in longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannas, its primary wintering habitat, have exceeded 97%. Other than basic habitat requirements, very little is known about its wintering ecology. I examined habitat associations of wintering Henslow’s Sparrows resulting from fire in longleaf pine savannas in southeastern Louisiana during two winters. Because it is important to understand the relative importance of habitat parameters, which include structure, species composition, and food availability, I measured these to determine their relative importance to Henslow’s Sparrow densities. I …

Using Life-History, Surplus Production, And Individual-Based Population Models For Stock Assessment Of Data-Poor Stocks: An Application To Small Pelagic Fisheries Of The Lingayen Gulf, Philippines, Ronald B. Lachica

LSU Master's Theses

Stock assessment methods that quantify the status of fishery resources are critical to effective fisheries management. There is a need for stock assessment methods applicable for management of tropical species based on limited, un-aged catch data. I applied four stock assessment approaches to situation with limited life-history information and with short-term, un-aged catch data. The four approaches are: life-history invariants, length-based catch analysis, individual-based modeling, and surplus production modeling. All four approaches were applied to catch data from Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. The life-history invariant, length-based catch analysis, and individual-based modeling were applied to monthly length-frequency data of commercial catch for …

Background Conglomerates In Alkan's Quasi-Faust, Op. 33, No. 2, Matthew James Steinbron

LSU Master's Theses

Various approaches have been used over the past 50 years to describe and analyze works that exhibit tonality but have more than one tonic. This paper focuses solely on a subcategory of such works: those that begin in one key and end in another, the first key being permanently replaced by the second. The most prominent systems of terminology and analysis for such works include “progressive tonality,” “directional tonality,” “interlocking structures,” and “background conglomerates.” After examining these systems, “background conglomerates” is determined to best suit works that permanently change tonics. This approach, which was introduced by Harald Krebs, employs a …

Breeding Waterbird Use Of Rice Fields In Southwestern Louisiana, Sergio Pierluissi

LSU Master's Theses

Rice fields are agricultural wetlands concentrated in several areas in the U.S., including southwestern Louisiana. Rice fields are flooded for much of the year and support thick emergent vegetation, potentially providing high-quality habitat for several species of breeding waterbirds. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine relative nest density, nest success, and habitat associations of breeding waterbirds in southwestern Louisiana rice fields and (2) determine the effectiveness of callback surveys as a monitoring tool. In the summers of 2004 and 2005, marsh bird surveys and nest searches were conducted in Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion, and Acadia Parishes in …

Effects Of Insectivorous Birds On Tree Growth In The Maurepas Swamp, David M. Fox

LSU Master's Theses

Coastal forests in Louisiana are in decline due to natural and human caused changes in the hydrology of the region. Baldcypress and water tupelo trees have been further stressed by caterpillar herbivory in recent decades. Regeneration of water tupelo is crucial for cavity creation for nesting habitat for secondary cavity nesting bird populations. Insectivorous birds have been shown to decrease insect-caused leaf damage on trees in other ecosystems. Two experiments examining effects of insectivorous birds on tree growth were conducted in degraded areas of the Maurepas Swamp in southeastern Louisiana. In the first experiment, nest boxes were added to study …